We are now four races into the year and the drivers have raced on a Plate track, Flat track, Downforce track and an Intermediate track. I classify this as a Downforce track so it will be the first time we repeat a “track type.” On the minds of drivers will be handling: the battle between making your car go fast combined with “grip” or “downforce” will be paramount. The team that finds the best mix of speed and downforce can win this race. And of course we have a new rules package. Always looming on the horizon at California is fuel mileage. Because this track is wide and cautions few, sometimes it comes down to the team with the best fuel strategy. The new twist again this year are the addition of stages. The first stage ends after 60 laps, the second after 120 laps and the third and last stage goes 80 laps. There have been 13 races run here in the last ten years. Interestingly, seven of those races have been won by Chevrolet teams. Hendrick Motorsports has four of those. They also have the most wins here in the last ten years. The HMS motor shop provided motors in all seven races. But the Toyotas of Joe Gibbs Racing have won two of the last five here challenging HMS. Will Chevy domination continue? We’ll know on Sunday.